Five Must-See movies about Berlin

Large capitals from all over the world have been often used as the set for famous movies. Obviously, Berlin is not an exception there, especially the rich history and impressive nightlife were used several times as inspiration and set for famous movies. In this article you can find a list with five must-see movies about Berlin.

1. Das Leben der Anderen

The movie Das Leben der Anderen, or The lives of Others, plays in 1984 and tells the story of a Stasi-officier (Gerd Wiesler) who gets assigned to spy on writer and playwright Georg Dreyman. During his observations, the stasi-officer starts to feel symphaty for Dreyman and his girlfriend and also finds out the real reasons for his assignment. Throughout the movie, Wiesler starts hiding information for his superiors and finds himself in a complicated situation.

Das Leben der Anderen is an emotional and thrilling movie which received many oscar nominations and an award for the “Best foreign movie” in 2007. Besides that, the movie is on the 63th position of the list of best movies in the world from IMDB (Internet Movie Database). Al in al it is a movie about Berlin which you defenitely have to see.

2. Berlin Calling

Many people who visit Berlin also want to experience the famous nightlife and the many interesting clubs and bars. If this is one of your intentions, it is great idea to get into the right mood with the movie Berlin Calling. The main character in Berlin Calling is the famous DJ Paul Kalkbrenner, who plays the role of the popular DJ Ickarus which travels all around the world to perform in clubs. Some of the clubs are located in Berlin: A part of Berlin Calling is recorded in Club Maria (the club is called Magdalena nowadays).

3. Wir Kinder vom Bahnhof Zoo

Compared to the other movies in this list of must-see movies about Berlin, Wir Kinder vom Bahnhof Zoo is defenitely the most touching one. The movie shows Berlin in the late 70s, the place to be for every drugaddict in Europe. Between all the sex, drugs and parties, you follow the life of a 14-year old girl named Christiane F. Wir Kinder vom Bahnhof Zoo is the confrontating story of a little girl who gets gets pulled into the dangarous world of drugs and addiction.

Wir Kinder vom Bahnhof Zoo is based on the memoire of Christiane F. and will show you the dark side of drugs and the nightlife of Berlin. The story is very impressive and different areas in Berlin can be spotted throughout the movie.

Important: The spoken language in Wir Kinder vom Bahnhof Zoo is German

4. Good Bye Lenin

The next movie about Berlin is called Good Bye Lenin and has everything to do with the Berlin wall and the changes in Germany at the end of the 80s. The two central characters in Good Bye Lenin are Alexander Kerner and his mum. Because of a shocking experience, Alexander’s mum has been laying in a coma for a while. She does not know that the world she used to know does not exist anymore: The Wall has fallen and the DDR does not exist anymore.

Because the doctors expect that every shocking experience can be fatal to Alexander’s mum there is only one solution: Alexander decides to pretend that nothing changed and keep the DDR alive, in the bedroom of his mother.

Good Bye Lenin is a great movie which tells a very unique story. The movie was nominated for many awards and Daniel Brühl received an oscar for his performance as Alexander. In my opinion it is also quite cool that this movie about Berlin shows that the city has not always been like it is nowadays.

(In the movie Good Bye Lenin you can see parts of Karl-Marx Allee and Alexanderplatz.)

5. Wings of Desire

Wings of Desire, or “Der Himmel über Berlin” was recorded in 1987 and has everything to do with the two angels Damiel and Casiel. They are flying over a traumatized Berlin and can read the minds of all the sad and depressed people. Because they feel symphaty for the habitants of Berlin, they decide to hand an helping hand.

The following words describe this movie about Berlin in a great way: “In addition to the story of two angels, the film is also a meditation on Berlin’s past, present, and future”

Number 5 in the list of movies about Berlin: Wings of Desire

The director of Wings of Desire, Wim Wenders, reconstructed the Berlin Wall for Wings of Desire. Party therefore it is quite special to see this movie when you decide to visit Berlin. During this movie you see Potsdamerstrasse, the Gedachtniskirche and Kurfürstendamm

Hollywood-movies about Berlijn

Besides the movies about Berlin which have been mentioned above, there are also a few hollywood-movies which were recorded in the capital of Germany. Two examples are the Bourne Supremacy of Matt Damon and Unknown with Liam Neeson. In the Bournce Supremacy you can see Jason Bourne running at Alexanderplatz and Ostbahnhof and large parts of the movie Unknown were also recorded in Berlin.

Twee voorbeelden van hollywoodfilms over Berlijn

Hopefully this list of movies about Berlin is helpful, please leave a comment if you have any suggestions.

My Name is Job and originally from the Netherlands. In 2012, a girl I met in Australia motivated me to move to Berlin. I love to share the best places, activities and events in Berlin with you on my blog.

About the blogger

“Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans.”

John Lennon was right: Life doesn't always turn out the way you expected. My name is Job, born in Holland but living in Berlin since two years now. I enjoy this city every single day and want so share my passion on this travelblog...(read more)

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Make the most of your time in the beautiful capital of Germany with Berlin-Enjoy.com. On this travelblog you can find everything you need for a great trip to Berlin. From great restaurants to the awesome parties and from cool bars to touristic attractions.

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